Valve-box.



J. O PARKER.

VALVE BOX.

APPLICATION men APR. 1. ms.

Patented Feb. 27, 1917.

CL) 77V: 6'65 EYE/7s camnomLr-rhnmmsnmcmn n c JOHN Q. PARKER, OF SANDU'SKY, OHIO.

VALVE-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Feb. 27, 1917.

Application filed April 7, 1916. Serial No. 89,592.

applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from otherinventions.

The present invention relates to valve boxes such as are adapted to be placed over the valves which are in the lines running to houses and buildings from the gas and water mains. In these boxes I provide means for accurately centering the same over the valve, and for holding the boxes securely in place so that movement of the same is prevented when the earth is pounded or forced back around the box. An attachment has also been provided for the former types of boxes so that these can be accurately centered and held in position without replacing the same. This device can be readily attached, and will hold the old style of valve boxes firmly in position, preventing movement of the same which would bring the valve handle underneath the shoulders of the box, thus preventing the engagement of the handle of the key. .To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Figure l is an end elevation of my valve box; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the box showing in dotted lines the position of the valve; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the use of the attachment for boxes of former types; and Fig. 4L is a plan view of the attaching collar. v

The present valve box consists of a tube 1 ending in an enlarged portion 2 having an opening 8 extending upwardly from the bottom to allow the box to be placed over the valve 4. This enlarged portion is formed with horizontally extending flanges 5 which are adapted to rest on the ground below the valve and are long enough to afiord a fairly firm foundation. The box is provided with horizontally extending ears 6 which are provided with holes 7 for clamping hooks 8. These hooks are formed with a threaded shank and have a curved end 9 adapted to fit around the shanks of the valve inside'of the coupling nuts. k

In attaching the box it is first placed over the valve with the ears extending in the same direction as the valve. The clamping hooks are then hooked around-the shanks of the valves and extended upwardly through the holes inthe ears in which position they are locked by means of nuts 10. This accu rately centers the box over the valve handle so that the usual long-handled key may be inserted in the tube to engage with the valve handle and turn the same.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I show an attachment for valve boxes of the older type which have no centering means. This attachment consists of a Collar 11 having laterally extending ears with openings therethrough as in the integral structure in which clamping hooks areadapted to be placed. The collar is split and has its ends 12 formed parallel to each other with alined openings 13 therein to take a clamping bolt 14: which is adapted to draw the collar tightly about the tube of the valve box. It will be seen that this attachment makes it possible to fit the older type of valve boxes with means for accurately centering the same. 7

In the older type of valve boxes, which were not provided with means for holding them in position relative to thevalve proper, it was found difficult to prevent movement of the box when the earth was pounded or I tamped back into place and usually the box would be shifted sufficiently so that the valve handle would be found underneath the wall of the box where it enlarges. When the op erator came to eitheropen vor close the valve, in many cases, he found that it was impos V sible to operate the same and the valve box would have to be dug up before the valve could be operated. In the present device, by means of the clamping hooks which are adapted to encircle the shanks of the valve just inside of the enlarged coupling-nut portions, I have found it possible to accurately center and maintain the valve box in place so that it is always to be found with the valve handle accurately centered below the tube. lhe attachment for the former types of boxes affords the same securing means as the device When integrally formed With the box, and this attachment can be easily put in place on the former types of boxes.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated'by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

1 therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In an attachment for valve boxes the combination of a split collar adapted to be clamped about said box, and clamping means mounted in said collar and adapted to engage the valve to secure the same and the box against relative movement.

2. In an attachment for valve boxes the combination of a split collar adapted to be adjustably secured to the box, and hooks mounted in said collar and adapted to en- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the gage the valve to securely position the box against movement relative to the valve.

3. In an attachment for valve boxes the combination of a split collar adapted to be adjustably secured to the box, and provided apertures and adapted to engage the valve, 1

and nuts adapted to be threaded on to such hooks to securely clamp the same to tie valve to prevent movement of the box relative to the valve.

Signed my me, this 25th JOHN Q. PARKER. Attested by Gno. W. I'IERR, JOHN A. Loan.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

day of 'March, 

